: Dont take Benadryl...: You may have an allergic reaction from a food group possibly shell fish. See a physician or PA,ARNP for a Powerfull & Nonsedating Antihistimine indicated for Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria. These Drugs are Allegra & Zyrtec. They are inexpensive & covered by most insurances. Claritin will not work. Zyrtec is powerful but has some sedation & Allegra is BID or twice a day. It comes in 60mg capsules but you can take it 120mg QD or once a day in the morning. This should releive all symptoms until the allergic reaction fades. It usually is caused by the release of histamine or when your mast cells degranulate. That can be caused by the H1 Receptor responding to the allergic response These drugs work by coating this H1 receptor & prevent the release of histimine.. You will feel much better... I promise. Don't worry though...it shouldn't last too long.: : For the past 3 weeks once or twice a day, I have started itching in various spots. Started on my hands or wrists - once in awhile on the face or feet. When i scratch, It gets red, but then white spots or "welts" appear. Not blisters at all, and it fades within minutes. At first I thought I was becoming allergic to a pain med I take, Tylenol #3, but I have used it off and on for years with no problems. Anyway, a week after I took it, I was still getting the itching. I have not been eating any new foods......I can't figure it out. Have been taking Benedryl and it works, but I'm wondering if it will get worse....Thank you

Jason,

In your reply about hives you stated not to take benedryl or claritin but take zyrtec or allegra. Both Benedryl and Claritin have been shown to work far better than allegra and just a well as zyrtec at relieving urticaria or hives. The only downside to benadryl is that it is very sedating and taking it and driving can lead to a DUI citation in most states. Claritin is once per day and has an FDA indication for Hives, is Pregnancy category B, the safest category the FDA allows in regards to Women and Pregnancy, is only 6-12 cents per day more expensive than Allegra or Zyrtec and has over 10 billion days of experience behind it. Now just because it didn't work for you doesn't mean it doesn't work. Is there some other reason you don't like Claritin?